Mini Europe version of the Eiffel Tower
When we arrived in Brussels, we made a stop in the tourist information center. We were looking to do something a little different. Even I am getting sort of saturated on looking at old buildings.
Tobu World Square version of the Eiffel Tower
For the past several months we have toured cathedrals, walked fortress walls, taken photos of castles, and climbed stairs to forts. We have read history about the people who built and lived in them. We then just finished nearly two weeks in Paris, which, aside from the art and food, involves a lot of touring old buildings. As lovely as they are, the girls have reached their limit for a while, and even I have stopped suggesting “let’s wait in line and go inside…”
In the Brussels tourist information was advertising for “Mini Europe.” A park full of 1/25 scale dioramas of significant sights of Europe. Now, you would think this would sound like something we might avoid, contrived and touristic. Except that a couple of years ago, we stopped at a place in Nikko, Japan, called Tobu World Square. It is a park of 1/25 scale models of architectural wonders of the world. My brother convinced us it was worth the fairly steep entrance fee, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable afternoons on the trip. The girls were delighted, we were impressed. In our photos, it is hard to tell that the models are not the real thing.
Mini Europe Diorama of the Baptistry and Cathedral at Pisa
So, looking at what we thought was an opportunity to have the same experience here, we made the subway trip out and paid the 50 Euros to get in. Unfortunately, it was not Tobu World. Although Mini Europe does offer a way to learn a little about the European Union, our expectation that the detail and workmanship would be as good as the Japanese counterpart made the experience underwhelming. Our wish to do something different was filled, but the mantra of the afternoon was “well, it’s not Tobu World.”
Tobu World Square Diorama of St. Peters Basilica
We’ve managed to usually avoid comparing places with others, enjoying each for what it is, but in this one, we just could not help ourselves. Especially at the cost of 50 Euros. ($66 US)
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Loved this post. Tobu World was a fun memory together.
Thanks, Nina. It was very cool. We were skeptical when Raymond told us about Tobu World, but it turned out to be one of our best memories of that trip to Nikko with you. Funny how the unexpected can turn out so fun.